Instant Pot

Melissa Hartwig's Whole30 Instant Pot Sesame Chicken

by:
March 11, 2019
3.4
5 Ratings
Photo by Ghazalle Badiozamani
  • Prep time 30 minutes
  • Cook time 15 minutes
  • Serves 4
Author Notes

Excerpted from The Whole30 Slow Cooker © 2018 by Melissa Hartwig. Photography © 2018 by Ghazalle Badiozamani. Reproduced by permission of Houghton Mifflin Harcourt. All rights reserved. —Food52

Test Kitchen Notes

Featured in: 10 Instant Pot Chicken Recipes for Comforting Dinners All Week Long. —The Editors

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Ingredients
  • 2 pounds boneless, skinless chicken breasts, sliced into thin strips
  • 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
  • 1 tablespoon plus 1 teaspoon arrowroot powder
  • 3 tablespoons avocado oil
  • 1/2 cup Whole30-compliant chicken broth
  • 1/4 cup coconut aminos
  • 1 tablespoon rice vinegar
  • 2 teaspoons toasted sesame oil
  • 1/2 teaspoon Whole30-compliant fish sauce
  • 1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)
  • 1 (10.8-ounce) package frozen broccoli florets, or 4 cups broccoli florets, steamed (see Tips)
  • 2 tablespoons sesame seeds, toasted (see Tips)
  • 2 green onions, sliced
Directions
  1. PLACE the chicken in a medium bowl and sprinkle with the pepper. Add 1 tablespoon of the arrowroot and toss to coat.
  2. ON a 6-quart Instant Pot, select Sauté and adjust to Normal/Medium. Add the avocado oil. When it’s hot, add half the chicken and cook, stirring once, until golden brown, about 6 minutes. Transfer to a plate. Repeat with the remaining chicken. Select Cancel.
  3. MEANWHILE, in a small bowl, whisk together the broth, coconut aminos, vinegar, sesame oil, fish sauce, and remaining 1 teaspoon arrowroot until the arrowroot is dissolved. Add red pepper flakes (if using).
  4. RETURN all of the chicken to the pot. Pour the sauce over the chicken. Lock the lid in place. Select Manual and cook for 6 minutes. Use quick release. Stir the chicken. Let stand until slightly thickened, 5 to 10 minutes. Meanwhile, cook the broccoli according to package directions.
  5. SERVE the chicken over the broccoli. Sprinkle with the sesame seeds and green onions.
  6. Tips: To steam fresh broccoli florets, combine in a microwave-safe bowl with 3 tablespoons water. Cover and microwave on high for 3 minutes or until crisp-tender. To toast sesame seeds, heat in a skillet over medium heat, stirring, until fragrant and lightly browned, about 2 minutes.

See what other Food52ers are saying.

3 Reviews

Molly August 26, 2019
We enjoyed this, but found that it's a hundred times better as leftovers. The flavors are much more prominent the next day. Also, we didn't make it Whole30 compliant - used cornstarch instead of arrowroot powder, and worcestershire instead of coconut aminos.
Molly August 28, 2019
Sorry, soy sauce, not Worcestershire!
Colleen M. March 16, 2019
This recipe was quick and easy but dull. Needed a ton of extra seasoning and hot sauce to flavor it up.